Automatic light control



Jan. 7, 1941. E BAcoN 2,227,995

AI JTOIATIG LIGHT CONTROI Original Filed NOV. 30, 1936 2 s t sh t 1 10 fHas. f7 4 lwwzwrae:

[MP/i D. BACON Jan. 7, 1941. 1-; D. BACON AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROLOriginal Filed Nov. 30, 19156 2 sheets sheet 2 Patented Jan. 7, 1941PATENT? OFFICE 2,227,995 AUTOMATIC LIGHT CONTROL Emra D. Bacon,Cleveland, Ohio Continuation of applic November 30, 1936.

ation Serial No. 113,524, This application July 21, 1938, Serial No.220,563

,QOIaims. (c1. zoo- 3a) My invention relates to automatic lightcontrols, and particularly to improvements in apparatus of thischaracter having simplified, effective, and reliable means for actuatingat predetermined times a mercury switch whose several positionsdetermine the functioning of electric lights. My improved automaticlight control is a. simple construction, having no resistances to burn,out or become hot, thus making it practically trouble-proof and assuringa long-life'control of high quality at a very low cost. This applicationis a continuation of my pending application upon Automatic timer andcircuit control means, Serial No. 113,524, Nov. 30, 1936. One adaptationof my invention, which is shown in the accompanying drawings andparticularly set forth in the accompanying description, as illustrativeof the principle of the invention, relates to installations thereof inpoultry houses for the automatic and timed turning on and off of lights,such as bright lights for feeding periods and dim lights for movementsof the poultry to and from the roosts. In other words,

by such use of the invention, it is designed to crowd the hensrespecting their laying periods, increase the length of their scratchingperiods, and also give them suitable resting periods, by a subdivisionof'thetime into such bright, twilight, and dark periods, as are deemeddesirable by the poultry owner.

The improved timing apparatus of my automatic light control, however, isof general adaptation for use in whatever situations there is desired anautomatic turning on and off of electric current at predetermined times.Thus, the invention is useful for store lighting, electric signs,lighting of billboards, lighting of show windows, and indeed all desiredlighting in apartment houses, stores, for traffic signals, and for manyother purposes. The claims of this application are limited to theimproved time switch of my automatic light control.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailcertain means illustrating my improved automatic light control,

such means constituting, however, but one of the various forms in whichthe principle of the invention may be embodied. V In said annexeddrawings: Figure 1 is a vertical section through a casing for myautomatic light control, the view being taken in the planes indicated bythe line i-i, Figure 2, and showing the improved switch mechanism of thecontrol in elevatiomthe posi- 6 tion of the several parts being such asto render bright certain lights forming part of the lighting system;

Figure 2 is a side elevation and vertical sec-- tion, takegein theplanes indicated by the line 5 2-2, Figu 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical section, taken in the planesindicated by the line 3-3, Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical section, taken in theoplanesindicatedby the line 4-4, 10 Figure. 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section, up on an enlarged scale, ofcertain of the means utilized for driving a timing disc of my improvedswitch from suitable clock mechanism; 15

Figure 6 is a fragmentary section, taken in the plane indicated by theline 8-4, Figure 5, and 1 showing a detail of the drive for the timingdisc;

Figure '7 isan enlarged fragmentary vertical section showing-therelation between a tapered 20 control pin mounted in and carried by thetiming disc and a shoe of aipivotal trip arm which carries the mercuryswitch, certain cam surfaces of which shoe are engaged by the small andof the pin, as the timing disc rotates, thus actuating the 25 mercuryswitch into its several desired operative positions; 1

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevation, showing the timing disc, thepivoted trip arm operated thereby and the mercury switch carried by thetrip arm, so relatively positioned that allicontrolled lights are in anoff position;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8, but

showing the several elements thereof in those positions whenthecontrolled lights are on dim; 35

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figures 8 and 9, but showing therespective positions of the several parts at the time when the brightlights have Just come on;

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9 but 40 showing the positions ofthe several parts after the bright lights have served their purpose andthe dim lights are again on; and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits controlled bythe several positions of 45 the mercury switch, the respective open andclosed conditions of the several circuits being those which effectbright lighting,

Referring to the annexed drawings in which the same parts are indicatedby the same respec- 50 tive members in the several views, my improvedautomatic light control is shown as housed in a casing i Such housing isnot necessary in many situations for-which the control is adaptable. butit very serviceable for that use of the control which 6 tin member i theautomatic turning on and off of lights in poultry houses. The casing lis providedwith a hinged door 2. Within the casing i is mounted anelectric clock unit having a motor 2. I do not show the clock mechanismproper since such structure is well known. In a manner and by means wellknown to those skilled in the art, this clock mechanism is actuated andregulated. This clock mechanism includes a shaft i6, Figure 3. to whichthe hour hand, for instance, is secured. To this shaft it, I secure adisc [2 utilized, in a manner and by means hereinafter fully described,manually to set a timing dial H in a position so that a pointer iscooperating therewith will indicate upon the timing dial ii the correcttime, The means by which the timing dial it is so set through the mediumof the setfollows: setting disc i2 ne' a ts rotation.

to the ing with a the t ii. The gear 2 is formed L. s i radially spacedfrom through which also the castform the end portion 8 ch hugs the faceof the gear 1 and the bonds u-liereby the gear 3 and hub are rotatablysecured together. The ends of the portion of the hub ie between the gearand the timing dial it are made enlarged and cast integrally to theopposed faces of the gear and timing dial ii. A washer 50 is disposedbetween the hub end portion 8 and the base of the pointer i0. Thus, itis evident that the gear -l, hub l9, and timing dial H are integrallysecured together. Thus, the actuation of the setting disc 2 2 in aclockwise direction will efiect the rotation of the timing dial H on thepin a in a clockwise direction and permit the setting oi the timing dialIi in any desired position so that the pointer IE will indicate thecorrect time according to the hour indicia ll, Figure 1, provided on theouter ia'ce of the timing dial it and respectively indicating A. M." andP. M. hours, similarly to the showing thereof on a clocir face. As isalso evident, through the medium of the pinion III and associateddescribed gearing the regular rotation of the timing dial H from theelectric clock mechanism will be eifected for the purpose ofactuatingthe time switch in the desired manner, after the timing dial IIhas been set so that the pointer i9 thereof indicates the correct timeaccording to/the hour indicia It. The aforesaid gearing iss'ifh as toeffect a complete rotation by the electric clock mechanism of the timingdial Ii once in twenty-four hours.

The electric clock unit is provided with any customary type ofstarting:wheel for the hand imposed upon the contact 3| only,

I 2,927,996 is herein particularly shown and described, viz.,

starting of the clock, such as the wheel ll, Figures 1 and 3, the samebeing, however, not material to the invention presented herewith.

The timing dial H is formed with two series of equally-spaced holes I!in and adjacent its periphery, each series being twenty-four in numberand each series corresponding to a twelve-hour period, thus subdividingA. M. and'P. M. time into half-hour periods between centers of adjacentholes ll, each alternate hole I! being associated 10 with an hourdesignation ll.

' Each hole I1 is adapted to receive a tapered pin 20, one or more ofwhich are mounted in a corresponding number of the openings IT, for thepurposehereinafter fully described, the smaller ends 2 I of the pinsbeing extended inwardly of the timing dial ll. As the timing dial Hrotates, the inwardly projecting smaller ends 2| of the pins 20intersect and actuate, at the desired time periods, a trip arm 22 whichis, in reality, a hanger, being U-shaped in cross-section at one end,Figure 4, and being pivotally supported, with a base portion 23depending therefrom, a it ined at one end to, and forwardly err-torfrom, the plate 2!. A coiled spring 54 on the pin 2, and having one endbearing agaii s:

a pin 55 secured in, and forwardly extended from, the plate 26, andbearing at the other end against the top of the trip arm member base 23,holds the trip arm 22 normally inthe position shown 39 in Figure 8,which is a position, in the use of my invention being disclosed, inwhich all lights are in' an of! position. i

The insertion of the tapered pins 26 in the holes i! of the timing dialH whereby a shoe 1: of the trip arm 22 is encountered by the small end21 of the tapered pin 20 is important in that thereby the tendency, dueto the contact of the shoe 22 and the end ll of the pin 20, is to wedgethe tapered pin 20 more tightly in the hole ll 40 rather than to causethe pin to become loosened and drop out. The pins 20 can be arranged toperform any predetermined number of operations in the twenty-four hoursand when they are set they will operate automatically without frequentattention. The arrangement of the pins 20 and the manner of mountingthem are such that the time periods for the desired operations arequickly and easily changed without necessity of any tools.

Secured to the bottom of the base 22 of the trip arm 22, and flushtherewith, is a plate 26 having opposed depending end spring clips 21adapted to grip and support a mercury switch 25 having three contacts28, 20, and II, and mercury content 22 adapted, as the trip arm 22 isswung upon its pivot, to flow over the several contacts 28, 29, and "soas, in the several adjusted pivotal positions of the trip arm 22, to liesuperor to bridge the contacts II and II, or to bridge all threecontacts 29, 29, and II, or to bridge contacts 28 and 2|.

The top portion of the front arm 22 forms a shoe 22' having three camportions ll. I2, and I3. These cam portions are so disposed that thesmaller end 2| of a pin ll mounted in an opening I! of the timing dialil encounters in succession the cam surfaces I, I2, and II, as thetiming dial H rotates, and tilts the trip arm 22 on the pivotal pin 24from the position shown in Figure 8. to cause the mercury content 22 ofthe mercury switch 2| electrically to connect first the contacts 29 and2|, Figure 9, to produce dim light; then all of the contacts 2|,

wall of the trip II, and 2|. Figure 10. to bring on bright light; 76

then the contacts 20 and an, Flguresl and a, with the bright light stillon; and finally, the contacts 33 and 3|, Figure 11, which again inducesdim lighting. The pin 23 then passes beyond its sphere of action, andthe mercury switch 231s tilted into the position shown in Figure 8 bythe spring 54. The cam surface 32 is substantially equal in length totwice the distance betweencenters of adjacent holes I], i. e., it takesone reasonable dim light periods for this purpose; for

instance, twenty minute periods. Therefore, the time consumed in thetravel of the pin end 2| across each of the camsurfacesil and 53 isabout twenty minutes.

Connected to the respective contacts 23, and 3| are conductors 33, 34,and 35, the conductor 34 being connected by an intermediate conductor 34to the fuse 31' of a main line 31. A second main line 33 is connected bythe fuse 36' to an intermediate conductor 45' which connects through aconductor 46 with a conductor 45 running to the motor 3, and connectingthe motor 3 with conductor 34 is a conductor 43. The con ductor 43 endsin a series of lights which, in the use of my invention, induce brightlighting for poultry'work and feeding. A conductor 39 also ends in theother side of the lights 33, and the latter are,hence, in parallelrelation as regards the conductors 46 and 33. The conductor 39 alsoconnects through an intermediate conductor 33 with the conductor 33coming from the contact 29 of the mercury switch 23. Connected with theconductor 33 is a conductor between which and a conductor 4| areprovided a series of lights 42, arranged in parallel relation as regardsthe conductors 40 and 4|, which lights 42, in the described applicationof. my invention, are utilized to'induce comparatively dirnlighting, andthus are utilized to establish periods within which the poultry movefrom or take the roosts. It is evident that, as regards each other, thetwo series of lights 38 and 42 are in series. The conductor 4| isconnected with the contact 3| of the me;-

cury switch 28 through the conductor 33.

It will be noted that the central contact 33 of the mercury switch 23 iscovered by mercury 32,

in all positions of the mercury switch 28 except I covered by themercury 32,

that position in which all lights are off'. It will be further notedthat, when the left-hand contact 23 of the mercury switch 23 is coveredby mercury 32, with the central contact 30, and the right-hand contact3| is not covered, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the lights 33' only arein circuit, thus inducing bright lighting. When the right-hand contact3| is covered by the mercury 32, with the central contact 30,theleft-hand contact 23 not being covered, Figures 9 and ll, the lights38 and the lights 42 are both in circuit in series relation, so that theresultant light isa dim light. When all three contacts 23, 30, and 3|are e 10, the current follows the path of least resist ce, 1. e., thelights 42 are substantially cut out, d the lights 33 are on, inducingbright lighti 1 Assuming that it is desired that bright lighting shouldbeeifected at five A. M., Figure 9, a'pin 20 is mounted in that hole II,which will effect the intersection of the cam surface 3| of the shoe 22'of day breaking and a tendency therein to leave in the second next holel1; it can be increased arm 22 is depressed by the pin portion 2| so asto cause the mercury 32 to cover the contacts 3| 5 and 30. Ashereinbefore explained, this puts both the lights 38 and 42 in circuitin series relation and the result is a dim light. Such a light in thepoultry coop creates the impression upon the hens the roosts and seekthe scratch and feeding floor. This condition continues for anyreasonable desired period of time, such as twenty minutes, during whichtime the shoe 22 of the trip arm is progressively forced downwardlyuntil the shoe and hencethe mercury switch, has been sufilcient- 1ytilted to cause the mercury 32 to cover all three contacts 29,30 and 3|,temporarily, as appears in Figure 10, the current, at this timefollowing the lineof least resistance and creating bright lighting bythe lights 33.: The continued rotation of the dial causes the pinportion 2| to continue to travel upwardly on the surface 5| and tofurther tilt the shoe 22' until the cam surface 52 is engaged by the pinportion 2| at which time the 7, shoe 22' and consequently the mercuryswitch has been sufllclently tilted so that the mercury 32 covers onlythe contacts 23 and 30, as appears in Figure 1, which cuts out thelights 42 entirely, leaving the lights 38 on in bright condition. Itwill appear that the surface 52 is so formed that no further tilting ofthe shoe 22' occurs as long as a pin portion 2| travels along thesurface 52. This condition exists for one hour or such multiple of ahalf hour as is desired. If more than one hour of bright light isdesired, it can be increased one-half hour by the addition of anadditional pin in the next adjacent hole II; it can be increased a wholehour by the addition of a pin 40 an hour and a half by the addition ofpins in the second and third next holes etc. In the show,- ing of theinvention whichl make in,Figure 1, enough pins 20 are positioned in theholes l1, and in the proper holes, so as to provide a feeding andscratching period, under bright lights, for approximately four hours.

After the pin or pins 20 have all entirely passed over the cam surface52,, the shoe 22' tilts in a clockwise direction until the surface 53engages the pin 23, or the last pin 20, due to the tilting of the triparm 22 under the action of the spring 34. This results in the movementof the mercury 32 to cover the contacts 30 and 3 Figure 11,

which is similar to the showing of Figure 9, and

again results in a dim lighting of the poultry duces a tendency in thehens again to seek the roost for a rest period. This action of the hensis facilitated by a cam surface structure 53 that will keep the dimlight 42 on' for about twenty minutes. Thereafter, thetrip arm 221sreleased from the pin 23, or the last pin 20, and, under the action ofthe spring 34, swings into the position shown in Figure 8 wherein all ofthe lights are ofi.

Of course, my improved timeswitch can be set so as to induce the desiredlighting at any periods or parts of the twenty-four hour period andprobably when the switch is so set as to induce early rising of thepoultry, as above explained,

. the bright lighting would extend into full natural so set as tolengthen'the period of natural lighting toward the end or day, probablythe artificial full lighting would be brought on before the naturallighting was finished, so that in that case the first/dim lightinginduced by my improved time switch would be of no practical benefit, butwhat would be used would be the second dim lighting which would serve toinduce the hens to go to roost. In other words, the apparatus, in thearrangement shown and described, first induces dim lighting and thenbright lighting and then again dim lighting. In the morning, probablythe second dim lighting would be of no practical benefit, and in theevening, probably the first dim lighting would be of no practicalbenefit, but, as stated, neither of these eflects would do any harm,being, in fact, probably unnoticeable in natural daylight.

Obviously, by utilizing only a two contactmercury switch 28 as, forinstance, the contacts II and a, myimproved timing mechanism may be usedior ordinary illumination involving only the turning on and off ofelectric current for lights or other purposes. Furthermore, it a doublefunction operation is required, the additional, or third contact ll, maybe employed and thus some other operation performed in conjunction withthe use of the contacts I! and 80. By the new and improved circuitarrangements which I provide. the variation in the illumination producedby the lights is obtained without having to have recourseto the cuttingin and out of separate resistances.

.What I claim is:

1. An automatic time switch comprising a rotatablyt-mounted. timing dialhaving time indici'a provided thereon, said dial being iormed with aseries of spaced holes ,therethrough coordinated with said time indicia,means for automatically rotating the dial, a pivotally mounted trip armhaving a shoe portion, a spring tor holding said trip arm in apredetermined pivotal position. a pin mounted in a selective hole of thedial and, as the dial is rotated, adapted to in ersect said shoe to tiltsaid trip am, said shoe having three cam surfaces engaged in successionby saldpin to tilt said trip arm into a series of pivotal positions, anda mercury switch depending from said trip arm and having three electriccontacts, the cooperative arrangement of the several elements being suchthat the tilting oi the switch by the successive actions of. said pinupon said cam surfaces, and also of the action of said spring upon saidtrip arm, cause the mercury or said switch to cover in succession,first, a pair of said contacts, then all three contacts, then one 01'said pair of contacts and the third contact, and, finally, said pair oicontacts again.

2. An automatic time switch comprising a timing dial provided withspaced holes adjacent the peripherythereoi, a frame, a pin fixedlysupported by said irame and upon which the dial is mounted, means forrotating said dial on said pin including a gear and a cast journalmember forming a hub thereof, said hub member being cast about said gearand the timing dial and thus secured thereto, said gear being looselymounted on said pin, and said hub member forming a Journal (or the pin,a trip pin mounted in a selective hole oi said dial, a pivotally mountedtrip arm having a cam surface intersected by an end at said trip pin, asthe dial rotates, to tip the trip arm, a spring normally holding thetrip arm in a pivotal position difi'erent from that into which it istipped by said cam surface. and a switch actuated by the movements ofsaid trip arm.

8. In an automatic time switch, an improved timing'dial element,comprising a timing dial having time indicia provided thereon and ad-Jacent the periphery thereof, said dial being formed with a series ofspaced holes therethrough adjacent said time indicia and coordinatedtherewith, a cast journal element, a gear, said iournal element beingcast between said gear and timing dial and having end portions extendedthrough the same, one end portion being secured to the gear, said timingdial being iormed with a central non-circular hole through which theother endot said journal member extends and the walls oi which itengages to rotate thedial. MA D. BACON.

